The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is remanded due to inadequate examination and failure to obtain updated VA treatment records.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the February 2020 examination was inadequate to support a grant of benefits, as it did not address whether the Veteran requires aid and attendance solely due to service-connected disabilities. Additionally, there were no updated VA treatment records available at the time of the rating decision.
- Claimed conditions
- posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), arthritis due to trauma, status-post operative, left shoulder repair, hypoesthesia left upper extremity (also claimed as left hand neuropathy), left shoulder post operative scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 12, 2021
- Citation
- A21018182
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A21018182.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
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